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DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement

Mar32015

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Dateline - Year 2012

The Dateline is the monthly newsletter of DignityUSA. It is sent electronically to all subscribers of DignityNews and to DignityUSA chapters.

If you require a printed version of the Dateline, please ask your local (or the nearest) Dignity chapter.

DignityUSA is a valued and recognized partner in many issues affecting the LGBT community, such as marriage equality and Nun Justice. As a strong group of believers, we served in coalitions in favor of gay marriage. We have provided strong leadership and participation in Nun Justice, and we continue to be asked to participate as movers and shakers in national activities. This year I was asked to speak at a Congressional hearing in DC aimed at growing positive attitudes in the Latino community towards LGBT persons and issues.

Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogues, DignityUSA President
in "Gratitude, Anticipation, and Hope"

. . . we are seeing a regression and undoing of Vatican II. It feels as if the Church leaders want to turn back the clock on the strides we have made. But we must not despair; we must continue our work. There is love here. There is hope here. We continue to spread this message through the DignityUSA website and publications, our Queer Catholic Faith webinars, and our conventions.

While we often raise up the gifts of our larger chapters, who have the resources to offer many programs and services locally and nationally, the evening I spent in Rochester reminded me how blessed Dignity is to be a diverse organization, with members and chapters that have, in the words of I Corinthians, "varieties of gifts, but one Spirit…and there are varie-ties of activities, but it is the same God that empowers them all in everyone."

. . . And to all our smaller chapters, thank you for the min-istry and witness you provide, week after week, month after month, year after year. The ripple you make in the water spreads wider than you know.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, DUSA Executive Director
in "The Grace of Small Chapters"

Poll after poll shows that younger generations of Catholics are in favor of issues such as same-sex marriage, adoption rights for LGBT couples, and LGBT representation among our religious leadership. Older generations of Catholics, most notably our clerical leaders, may perceive this movement as rebelling against traditional Catholic teachings and authority, but in reality this is our way of paying homage to our Catholic roots, which stress justice, compassion, conscience, and love. This is our way of taking ownership of our faith by updating it to reflect the whole body of Christ. We are the new shoots of the Church, and we have much to contribute to the Catholic legacy.

The joint board meeting and young adult gathering has begun to energize others. Relationships are being developed building community. Sharing our stories with one another allows us to come together in community.

What a fitting indicator of the state of our movement. People of faith are more visible than ever in all aspects of our justice struggle this year. Governors, legislators, activists, bloggers, voters…so many different people working for LGBT equality, and clearly stating that they do so because of their faith. This is the vision we’ve held for more than four decades, and finally it is becoming reality. This is a joyous moment!

To the many wounded, Catholic lesbians and straight women out there, to the young adults seeking for a place to be activists, to the GLBT people of color who feel they have to choose between their two identi-ties, to all of you, we say, "Come. Come, join us, and support the growing movement of creating a just church. Come, join us, speak out loud the truth of your life and know the love of God. Come, join us, you have a place at the table where Jesus waits and where together we can be church. Come, for there is plenty of work to do."

Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogues
DignityUSA President, in
Where Two or More Are Gathered in My Name

Lourdes said that when she ultimately did decide to come out to her mother, who like in most Hispanic families is both the head and the heart of the family, her mother responded with two questions. "She asked me if I was happy, and if I had a relationship with God," said Lourdes. "Those were the things that mattered to her."

''It's my mother's love and compassion, and willingness to stand up for what is right that you see stand-ing before you today . . . and not 'Barbara Johnson, lesbian denied Communion,' or 'Barbara Johnson, Buddhist Catholic.' …You see (a) daughter who is deeply heartbroken her parents are no longer on this Earth with her and her family. You see this daughter who wound up in a whirlwind of media spectacle. You see this daughter who was placed in a state of grace by none other than her beloved mother."

Barbara Johnson
thanking DignityUSA for supporting her
in New Ways Symposium story

For us these two days were enlightening and challenging. We were impressed at the work . . . organizations committed to the human/social rights of transgender persons and their families. We were saddened as we heard personal testimony of the suffering experienced by many in the transgender community, and amazed at their determination to move forward. We left enheartened, hoping to find ways to support Catholic ministry in its contribution to the healing and growth of these gifted, and often vulnerable, members of the body of Christ. These were days of great grace for us.

James and Evelyn Whitehead, in
Toward an Understanding of Transgender/Transsexual Persons

Not only are we showing up in greater numbers for campaigns for equality, but when we engage in political advocacy we are increasingly present as fully ourselves, raising profound spiritual questions about the intersections of justice work, about caring for the most marginalized in our communities, and about how well we’re doing loving our neighbors as ourselves. Your efforts are at the heart and soul of our movement; I am personally and professionally beholden to you for your tena-ciousness and prophetic witness to the Source of the Divine in our work.

And, of course, we know that it will continue to be vital to keep positive Catholic voices sounding in the public square. . . . DignityUSA will be part of efforts in Minnesota, Maryland, Maine, and other locations to ensure that no one mistakes positions such as this for the true Catholic perspective—that of love and inclusiveness.

Convention 2015

Vision Statement

DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.